Les bilans azote et phosphore en France

• Nitrogen from agricultural activity is supplied in organic or mineral form. In 2015, organic inputs averaged 62 kg per hectare (ha) of utilized agricultural area (UAA) and mineral inputs 77 kg/ha. Both types of inputs have declined since 1990. This decrease is explained notably by the reduction in French livestock numbers and better nitrogen management on farms. This improved management results from the implementation of 'nitrates' action programs in vulnerable zones, progressively expanded under the 'nitrates' directive, as well as evolution in technological means.

• Over the 2006-2015 period, average nitrogen surplus stands at 45 kg/ha of UAA, compared to 55 kg/ha for 1996-2005. In 2015, regions with the highest nitrogen surpluses are Brittany and the Pays de la Loire with over 70 kg/ha. However, these figures do not account for exports to neighboring regions requiring organic nitrogen and treatment of livestock effluent. These measures are mandatory beyond an annual threshold for some Breton operators. Regions closest to balance are Corsica, Burgundy, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, while Île-de-France shows a negative balance. • Regional nitrogen balance by region in 2015 Note: Balance = nitrogen inputs (mineral and organic inputs, symbiotic fixation and atmospheric nitrogen deposition) - outputs (crop uptake) according to a calculation method validated by the European Commission.

The average agricultural nitrogen surplus respects the theoretical planetary boundary between 41 and 55 kg/ha/year. However, this limit is significantly exceeded in certain regions.

Within the European Union, in 2015, the gross nitrogen nutrient balance per hectare of UAA is estimated at 51 kg per ha of UAA. This balance is 9 kg per ha of UAA in Romania while reaching 189 kg per ha of UAA in the Netherlands.

Phosphorus is supplied in organic or mineral fertilizer form. Surpluses are calculated without accounting for treatments and possible exports carried out notably in livestock regions.

• In 2015, in Brittany, the surplus reaches 20 kg/ha. Indeed, intensive pig and poultry farming zones experience total phosphorus inputs (mainly organic) sometimes too high relative to crop and pasture needs. In metropolitan France, phosphorus surplus declined from 9 kg/ha of UAA to 0 kg/ha between 2000 and 2015. This decline is mainly linked to reduced mineral fertilizer inputs. Since 2009, the balance has been near equilibrium. • Regional phosphorus balance in 2015 Note: Balance = imports – exports according to a calculation method validated by the European Commission.

The average agricultural phosphorus surplus is below the theoretical planetary threshold limit of 4 to 7.5 kg/ha/year. However, this threshold is exceeded in certain regions. Furthermore, phosphorus residues present in wastewater after treatment, which represent the main source of phosphorus emissions to water in France, do not represent a sufficiently large volume to cause the limit to be exceeded at the scale of all of France.

Within the European Union, in 2015, the gross phosphorus nutrient balance per hectare of UAA is estimated at 1 kg per ha of UAA. This balance is negative in Estonia (-7 kg/ha of UAA) while reaching 10 kg/ha of UAA in Norway.